Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 11 Bayelsa governorship election, says his disqualification by the Abuja High Court won’t affect his chances of winning.

Mr Sylva spoke for the first time after the court ruling at a political rally in Agoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Thursday, urging his supporters not to be distracted.

“Don’t be dismayed about the ruling; just be prepared to come out en masse on November 11 to cast your vote for our party, the APC,” he said.

Deme Kolomo, a member of the APC, had prayed the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Mr Sylva’s name from the list of candidates contesting the governorship poll.

The former governor promised to complete the West Senatorial Road and extend it to the Agee community if given the mandate in the poll. 

He also promised to resolve the nonrecognition of the paramount ruler in the oil-rich community and make life easier and more rewarding for the people.

“Some people are afraid of the election; they are panicking, so they went and procure some jankara judgement.

“We want to assure you that that judgement will not stand because it is against natural justice.

“So, just carry on, no worries at all, just come out and vote for us, and I assure you that the lives of the people of this community will never be the same again,” he said.

Mr Sylva said he knew the problem associated with the nonrecognition of the traditional ruler of Aghro, adding that he almost resolved the issue before he left office the last time.

“This time, I am coming back to resolve it permanently, ” he said. “I have also promised that since the senatorial road has gotten to Ekeremor Town l, we will continue that road from where it has stopped and take it to Agge.”

The APC candidate said the combination of himself and Joshua Maciver was good for the people. 

Mr Sylva, who also took his campaign train to Peretorugbene, Ndoro and other coastal communities in Ekeremor LGA, promised to tackle flooding and erosion faced by the state.

(NAN)